Spinal cord cell types that drive bladder pain in interstitial cystitis (IC/BPS)
Official title: Elucidating Roles of Distinct Spinal Cord Cell types in Mediating Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS)
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11173752 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will use precise lab tools to find which spinal cord cells cause bladder pain and troublesome urination in people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $618,296 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK140445-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11173752 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Although this is preclinical lab research and does not recruit patients, people living with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and ongoing bladder pain or urinary problems are the population most likely to benefit from its findings.
✕Less likely to help
People without bladder pain or whose urinary symptoms are caused by other clear conditions (such as active infection or bladder cancer) are unlikely to benefit from these specific findings.
What this research studies
The team will use lab models of bladder inflammation, mainly in animals, to recreate features of IC/BPS. They will turn specific spinal cord cells on or off using light-based and designer-drug techniques to see which cells trigger pain or abnormal urination. They will trace how those spinal signals reach different brain regions and will map the genes active in the involved spinal cells with gene-mapping methods. Altogether, these steps aim to identify the exact spinal cell types and circuits responsible for bladder pain and dysfunction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new spinal-cord targets for treatments that reduce bladder pain and improve urinary symptoms in IC/BPS.
How similar studies have gone: Similar optogenetic and chemogenetic approaches have successfully identified pain circuits in animal models, but applying them specifically to spinal circuits in IC/BPS is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Samineni, Vijay K — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Samineni, Vijay K
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding spinal cord cell roles in bladder pain and function
A study to map which spinal cord cells process bladder sensations and how they contribute to bladder pain and voiding problems in IC/BPS.
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How bladder support cells control the lining and bladder pain
Researchers are exploring whether special support cells in the bladder control nerve overgrowth and damage to the bladder lining in people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS).
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Personalized treatments for bladder pain (interstitial cystitis)
A treatment approach aiming at the underlying causes of bladder pain for people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.
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Understanding and treating bladder pain syndrome
This study is looking at interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) to find out more about different types of patients based on their symptoms, so we can create better, personalized treatments that really help with their pain and urinary issues.
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Understanding how spinal cord cells affect bladder pain and function
This study is looking at how different types of cells in the spinal cord help process bladder pain and function in people with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, with the hope of finding better treatments for those who suffer from this condition.
-
Improving brain and muscle activity to reduce pain in women with bladder pain syndrome
This study is looking at how brain activity affects chronic pain in women with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome and will use a special treatment called rTMS to see if it can help improve brain and pelvic muscle function to reduce pain.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.